Yesterday, was busy day for most of SunRocket Consumers as they are busy with searching an alternative solution for their phone service and also calling nears and dears about their new contact information.
Lets quickly look at which other Sunrocket alternatve VOIP providers can offer value. Hope this helps little bit to frustated SunRocket consumers.
1) ViaTalk: They are definately the strongest alternative available in the market today. Viatalk has revised its offer for SunRocket consumers and now offering the following for their Yearly plan:
a) Contract Buyout for upto 6 3 months from SunRocket Customers.
Update 7/19: They are now offering 3 months Buyout only. If you are planning to buy then buy today as they can close this offer any time.
b) Free 2nd Line of Service
c) No Activation Fee (Earlier they are charging $29.95 for this)
d) Free Shipping on Equipment (Use Coupon Code: FREESHIP)
If you prefer to have month-to-month service then I suggest choose the 24 month plan as that is cheapest one with Full packed features. Just for $9.95/mo, they are offering Voicemail, Caller Id, Call Waiting, Caller Return, e911 Support and much more.
2) JoiPhone: The fairly new entrants in the VOIP provider space, however they offer stellar services at great prices. Just For $4.95 they are offering Voice Mail, Call-Waiting, Caller-ID Fax to email, any area code, E911 and much more. Also for limited time they are offering Free Porting of old Number from SunRocket users. Get more information on $4.95 plan!
JoiPhone unlimited plan is at $14.95/month i.e. $179.40/Year, this plan includes all the features mentioned above. This plan sounds good to me for SunRocket unlimited taste users.
Update 7/24: JoiPhone Review - VoIP Service Review !!
3) VOIP: voip also have an yearly plan at par with SunRocket, in which you need to pay $199.00/year Unlimited Yearly (No Fees) i.e. only approx $16.95 per month. They also have an month to month plan in which you need to pay $19.95 per month and with this plan you will receieve First Month for Free, which is only $20 costlier then the Yearly one. Explore more on voip
Overall, I can say that in present market situation Viatalk and JoiPhone (In Cheap VoIP Provider Category) is definately worth signup up for. If you want to go with high end VoIP provider then you can signup with Vonage, LIngo or Packet8 etc. Impressed? Go get JoiPhone
Will update as soon as I got some information from other vendors, If you know any other vendor that is offering good deal then leave comments.. I will update this post with those detail.
Here’s a few others to add to your list of possible SR replacements:
* Allo: This was one of the more interesting alternatives I found. They are offering $199 for TWO YEARS (like SR did periodically) with no activation or other ‘hidden fees’. However, number porting is an extra $9.99, and the 2-yr plan doesn’t appear to include a SIP adapter (although it comes free with their $23.95 monthly plan). It appears that you can purchase the SIP adapter from them upfront for $49 along with the plan, or do a lease-to-purchase at $2.99/mo for 18 months at which point you own it. You can “bring your own adapter” as long as it’s unlocked, so presumably the SR Gizmo would work (unlocking instructions For the various models of SR Gizmos are floating around the Internet). Free softphone use, but a 2nd line or virtual number is $4.95/mo extra. Still, even adding in the costs of the SIP adapter and number port, it works out to $10.75/month for unlimited service — pretty close to what I had with SR. Guess the bet is whether Allo (or any of the other smaller providers, for that matter) will fail like SR before you receive the full term of the agreement?
* Lingo (Primus): $195/yr or $21.95/month. Free shipping and activation. $5/month extra for a 2nd “virtual number” (which was free with SR service).
* Packet8: Packet8 has plans for $199/yr or $24.99/month. Free shipping and activation; free 1st month. Virtual number is another $4.00/mo plus $9.99 setup fee. Also, they charge an extra “hidden fee” of $1.99/month for E911 service.
* ViaTalk: In addition to the good info you gave above, note that they also appear to offer ‘softphone capabilities‘ (via your PC) at no extra charge — something many SR users always wanted but couldn’t get.
* Broadvoice: No annual plan; $19.95/mo $5.47 extra/mo in taxes and fees (”gotcha”). Worse yet, $40 activation - no mention of any special waiver for SR converts.
And of course, there’s always the cable-company VoIP services which can be a good deal if delivered in a package (TV, broadband, and VoIP). But not really an option for those of us that can’t even get cable…
Rob
Hi, Do you know if I can use my SunRocket GIZMO w/ Skype Out? I would like to use SKYPE OUT, but instead of calling from my computer, would love it if my Gizmo could be programmed to use Skype Out.
Thanks.
Ash.
I also thought Allo was an excellent alternative until I called them and they said they were having some problems and I should call back in about a month! Not a good sign; I am looking elsewhere to replace my SR account!
I just signed up with VOIP.com and I am waiting for the hardware to get started. Anyone have any comments about this company?
Ash, I have not tried Skype Out, but it is compatible with Gizmo Project (www.gizmoproject.com).